Trent Rockets face an anxious wait to see if they can secure direct qualification for the 2026 Men’s Hundred final. Their hopes of finishing at the top of the table now depend entirely on the outcome of the upcoming clash between Sunrisers Leeds and Manchester Super Giants. This uncertainty follows a disappointing six-wicket defeat for the Rockets against Southern Brave at Trent Bridge, a result that leaves them vulnerable to being overtaken on net run rate should the Leeds side emerge victorious.
Batting first, the Rockets posted a total of 158 for 5 from their 100 balls. The innings initially struggled, with the team slipping to 92 for 5 before a crucial 66-run partnership between Mitchell Santner, who finished unbeaten on 35 off 23 balls, and Lewis Gregory, who contributed 28 not out from 18 deliveries, helped stabilize the score. However, the total proved insufficient against a determined Southern Brave lineup that had already been eliminated from the competition.
The Brave’s chase began with a solid 42-run opening stand from Jamie Smith and Moeen Ali. Although the Rockets fought back by taking quick wickets—including Craig Overton dismissing Smith and Calvin Harrison removing both Moeen and David Miller—the visitors reached 78 for 3 after 52 balls. The momentum shifted decisively when Tristan Stubbs and Marcus Stoinis joined forces, putting together a blistering 70-run partnership off just 41 balls.
Stoinis was particularly aggressive, striking four fours and three sixes in his 25-ball 46 before Ben Sanderson eventually dismissed him. Stubbs remained the anchor, finishing with an unbeaten 52 off 28 deliveries, including four fours and three sixes. With the Brave needing 11 runs from the final seven balls, Stubbs sealed the win with three balls to spare by hitting a delivery from Gregory over deep backward square leg.
Earlier in the day, Ben Duckett had provided a bright start for the Rockets, hitting four boundaries in his first 14 balls before falling to Stoinis. Despite positive contributions from Finn Allen and Aneurin Donald, the Brave bowlers maintained consistent pressure to prevent any significant momentum until the late-innings surge from Santner and Gregory. Ultimately, the Rockets’ competitive total was not enough to overcome the clinical batting display from the visitors.
Brief scores: Trent Rockets 158/5 in 100 balls (Mitchell Santner 35* off 23, Lewis Gregory 28* off 18; Daniel Worrall 1-21) lost to Southern Brave 159/4 in 97 balls (Tristan Stubbs 52* off 28, Marcus Stoinis 46 off 25; Calvin Harrison 2-32) by 6 wickets.
Stubbs had scored 20 off 10 when Miller was dismissed, but Stoinis soon moved ahead of him with a flurry of boundaries.
